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Original poster

AIBU to be heartbroken the cleaner ruined my platypus?

170 replies

RightYesButNo · 26/07/2021 22:45

I have a few painful autoimmune conditions, so we have a cleaner once a week. Currently, I’m in a very bad flare, sleeping through the pain, etc. I asked if she could change the bed and I’d just stay in the living room until she was done. I fell asleep on the sofa in just a few minutes and then I awakened when she was kindly telling me I could get back in bed. Already embarrassing.

I sleep with a stuffed platypus every night. My condition causes really painful trouble breathing so hugging him makes it a bit better. He’s just the right size, etc. He’s been on countless hospital visits, hospitalizations, even a few surgeries with me.

I didn’t notice until the cleaner left and I found him drying on top of the hanging sheets that were also drying. I’m ashamed but I cried; his fur is a bit ruined, his insides are all balled and smell wrong; I think it may be time for him to go to the “beloved stuffed friends retirement shelf” with DH’s one-eyed childhood teddy.

But I can’t believe how upset I am. I feel just so sad. I know this is definitely some HUGE hospital PTSD, and fear of facing more pain without a comfort object. Erm… AIBU to ask if anyone has a stuffed friend who helps your fears at the age of mumble mumble over 30? And if you might cry (a lot) if they were semi-destroyed?

OP posts:
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FrankButchersDickieBow · 26/07/2021 23:12

Aww OP. Poor platypus.

You can definitely restuff!!! We recently done this with dd's Ted.

He is the other member of our family and comes on every holiday, sleepover etc.

Dd is nearly 13 and think Ted may be slightly older as her Grandma bought it for her before she was even born!

She has been suffering with her mental health for the last year or so and Ted is a great source of comfort.

You can buy the stuffing and the little tool from amazon, really cheap.

Don't give up on old platypus! There is definitely life in him yet!

BillMasheen · 26/07/2021 23:10

And yeah, I’m … definitely 30 with 20+ years of experience

BillMasheen · 26/07/2021 23:08

@AntiSocialDistancer

I'd do toy hospital, that sort of sensory comforting feedback is important. A little brushing with a soft bristle pet hair brush and a warm hairdryer will help.
Yes. This.

And despite my hardnosed persona I would absolutely be in bits if this happened to my comfort objects.

If anything says anything then yes, it is comforting sensory feedback that helps you process trauma. Only you need know it’s because he is real and has feelings too.

In a month or so, it will just be another thing you love him for. He survived a wash, and had reconstructive surgery. And now he’s better.

Snaketime · 26/07/2021 23:05

He doesn't need retiring op, he will be fine after a few cuddles. I have a ragdoll that I have had since I was a little girl.

CarnationCat · 26/07/2021 23:04

I wouldn't worry about the platypus being destroyed. See what he's like when he's dry. Puff the material up a bit. If he is still in a state, teddies can be repaired. He can be unsewn and restuffed by you or someone else.

NoSquirrels · 26/07/2021 23:03

@PragmaticWench

It sounds as though he's now been through a trauma like you have. He needs new stuffing, a gentle brush and some tlc.
This was my thought too. I expect he needs a hospital trip for a little surgery (unpick stitching and restuff filling).

Poor you, poor platypus and poor cleaner - it sounds like an accident and I bet she’d be mortified.

(And maybe I have some cuddly friends who’ve been a comfort who I would be absolutely devastated to lose- and maybe I’m at least a decade older than mumble mumble 30-something Smile)

WeatherwaxLives · 26/07/2021 23:01

I've passed my 'best friend' doll to DD (4yo). Sometimes she gives her to me to hold during a game, and I'm right back in my childhood.

If something happened to dolly I would be devastated. DP knows not to do anything stupid like wash her or let DD take her out of the house.

Giving her the benefit of the doubt, do you think he might have accidentally been tangled in the sheets and she didn't mean to wash him? I'm just thinking, if she knew you were getting straight back in bed, and he was in there, it's pretty obvious you'd want him when you got back in?

I second what PP said about brushing bringing back the fluff of the fur. And restuffing isn't very hard, but you do need lots more stuffing than you think! You really have to squish in as much as you possibly can fit, especially in bits like his beak.

PragmaticWench · 26/07/2021 22:57

It sounds as though he's now been through a trauma like you have. He needs new stuffing, a gentle brush and some tlc.

AntiSocialDistancer · 26/07/2021 22:54

I'd do toy hospital, that sort of sensory comforting feedback is important. A little brushing with a soft bristle pet hair brush and a warm hairdryer will help.

RedHelenB · 26/07/2021 22:54

YABU but understandably so. Are you sure that once it's fully dried it won't be back to normal but smelling a lot cleaner!

AtomHeartMotherOfGod · 26/07/2021 22:52

No, but then I don't have an autoimmune problem Sad

Can you go to IKEA or something and see if they have a suitable alternative? You could try flumphing it up in the tumble dryer...

carrieeee · 26/07/2021 22:52

@LegoCaltrops

So she put it in the washing machine? Without checking? I'd be pretty pissed off TBH, she was supposed to change the sheets. Doesn't everyone know that many soft toys aren't machine washable!?
Maybe it just got wrapped up in the sheets and she didn't realise
AlCalavicci · 26/07/2021 22:52

Oh I really feel for you , i was given a stuffed dog when I was christened 40 mumble years ago . I took it to bed very night but now the poor thing is bald and his arm is handing off so I can't sleep with him any more but he lives on my dresser to he can see me sleeping .

I would be upset if someone , even with good intentions a heart , ruined it

7wondersofthewold · 26/07/2021 22:51

If he is a comfort to you, you can send him to a toy hospital to be rehabilitated. They can restuff and repair. Some people use them for antiques and heirlooms and other people for well-loved 'normal' toys.

ErrolTheDragon · 26/07/2021 22:50

Thankspoor you and poor platypus.

RubyGoat · 26/07/2021 22:50

So she put it in the washing machine? Without checking? I'd be pretty pissed off TBH, she was supposed to change the sheets. Doesn't everyone know that many soft toys aren't machine washable!?

Atalune · 26/07/2021 22:50

I’m so sorry you have lots such a beloved item.

Is it really busted up? Can he be lovingly restored?

I bet a mumsnetter might be able to help!

AmyDudley · 26/07/2021 22:49

I had a similar disaster with DS's favourite stuffed toy when I washed it while he was at school.
I salvaged it by carefully unpicking a bit of one of the seams taking out all the balled up stuffing and restuffing it with new stuffing. It worked a treat - so you could maybe try this - you don't need to be a wizard at sewing because it is mainly showing new stuffing in. Make sure the fur 'skin' is thoroughly dry before you put the new stuffing in. Then give his fur a good brush and he may well be fine (if a little battered!)

ReturnfromtheStars · 26/07/2021 22:48

The fur can be combed & insides reshaped. I don't think he's dead yet. Hope you feel better soon Flowers

Blankspace4 · 26/07/2021 22:47

Aww, I’m so sorry. I have a couple of ‘comfort items’ that I don’t sleep with every night but are there if I need them (feeling unwell, lonely etc). They are from childhood so quite precious and I’d be devastated if anything happened to them.

Snuggle him back up in bed with you tonight and he’ll soon be back to his old self Smile

Next time put him away in a wardrobe safe!